Chapter Eighteen: Rose

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Crystal woke the next day as rays of afternoon sunlight spilled through her bedroom window and into her eyes. She rolled over under her thin sheet to avoid the blinding glare. However, she could not escape from the suffocating heat. It filled the room, thick and unbearable. She felt the perspiration on her skin when she moved; her cotton nightgown clung to her body and her hair stuck to her neck and face. With a groan she rolled again, reaching the side of the large bed, she let her legs slide from beneath the covers and dangle above the floor. She stayed that way for a moment, trying to remember why she was so sore. Her sides ached dully and she could feel the bruises along her jaw. Memories knocked at the back of her mind but she could not focus enough to answer them. She glanced toward the window and judged the time to be around two o’clock. Liza had long begun her day of chores, and so Crystal had no one to pose a question to.

Slowly she pulled herself up from the bed and slide her feet to the ground. Standing up right was a little disorienting at first, and she steadied herself against the bedpost before crossing the room to the basin. She caught a glimpse of her beaten face in the mirror and the past two days came rushing back. The bank, Michael in her room, Gallatin Street – Joseph.

Her eyes widened and the little color that was left drained from her face. How had she forgotten for even a moment? She had to go check on him and make sure he hadn’t taken a turn for the worse during the early morning hours. Hurriedly she splashed her face with the cool water in the basin, then, after removing her nightgown, the rest of her body. She dried off with a towel and went to her wardrobe, finding an olive green day dress, she quickly threw it on. Her hair was in knots from the full day in bed, and she fought the tangles with her brush. She was clearly waging a losing battle by the time Liza came in the room carrying a basket full of folded laundry. “Good, you’re awake. I was beginnin’ to think you was dead,” she said as she set her load on the unmade bed.

Crystal flinched as the brush yanked out a gnarl of her hair. “I can see why. It’s nearly three o’clock. Why didn’t you wake me?”

Liza began packing away the clothing into Crystal’s chest as she answered, “Have you looked in the mirror? You look like the livin’ dead. Ain’t no way I was gonna get you outta that bed when you was finally sleepin’ through the night. Or should I say mornin’?”

“But you knew I needed to check on Joseph.” Crystal ripped the brush across her head and cringed . “Liza, he could be almost dead now for all I know.”

“You was gonna check on him?” Liza asked, raising one thin brow. “And what was you gonna do if he was almost dead? Hold his hand?”

Crystal knew the words weren’t meant to be cruel, yet she couldn’t help but take them that way. She bit her bottom lip. “I don’t know.”

Liza sighed and shut the trunk. “It doesn’t matter anyhow. I’s went and checked on him this mornin’.”

Crystal paused mid stroke at Liza’s words. “You did?”

Liza began stripping the sheets from her bed. “Yeah, he’s still breathin and the wound sealed up good and clean. Ain’t no tellin’ if he’ll live yet, though.”

Crystal turned around to face her maid. “His fever hasn’t broken?”

Liza shook her head. “Not yet.”

“And what about Jeremy and Michael? Are they still with him?”

Liza grabbed the bundle of sheets and dropped them in the laundry basket. “They’s been gone since dawn. Left as soon as I went back out there.”

Crystal abruptly set her brush down on the vanity. “He’s alone then?” She rose from her chair. “I should go to him.”

Liza was pushing Crystal back in the chair before she could move. “You ain’t goin’ nowhere’s ‘til after breakfast,” she said. She grabbed Crystal’s brush and took over the job of untangling her hair. “I don’t wanna see you passin’ out no more.”

Crystal’s stomach growled at the mention of breakfast. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten; there were so many more pressing things to worry about. There still was. She needed to see Joseph and make sure he was all right. However, the determined look on Liza’s face told her that was easier said then done.

“Will you let me see him if I do?” she asked.

Liza eyed Crystal’s reflection in the mirror for a long moment before finally giving a stiff nod. “I ain’t gonna stop you. I done told you what I think about this whole thing, and I ain’t wastin’ my breath repeatin’ it. You best be careful not lettin’ anybody find out, is all I’ll say. ‘Cause we’s gonna be seein’ some hell fire if yo’ mama knows about this.”

“Don’t worry, Liza, they’re not going to find out. I’ve gotten quite good at keeping a secret.”

Liza humphed but didn’t respond.

“Is mother home?” Crystal asked.

“No. She gone to see Mrs. de Mandeville to help her plan Mr. Marginy’s funeral tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? I didn’t realize it was so soon.”

“Soon? It’s already been two days. Any longer and they’re ain’t gonna be a body to bury.”

Crystal shuddered at the thought of Mr. Marginy’s decayed body in an open coffin. “I suppose you’re right. Poor Mrs. de Mandeville, how terrible to have to deal with funeral arrangements so quickly after a loved one has died.”

Liza shrugged. “That’s life, pumpkin, ain’t nobody getting away from it.”

“What of Charles? Have you heard news of him? I would like to see him but I’m not sure if that’s wise at this point.”

“Likely not,” Liza said, using her fingers to gently pull out a particularly difficult knot. “He’s been busy with the police anyhow, makin’ sure the Clan be tried and hanged as soon as possible. That man sure loves his revenge.”

“Oh dear,” Crystal whispered. She thought of the members of the Clan she had seen at the bank, all of their bodies hanging limply from the gallows. Some of them deserved it, she supposed. Sam and the man that had killed Mr. de Marginy certainly showed no mercy so why should they receive any. However, what if it had been Jeremy or Michael? Would she be so happy then? Doubtful.

Liza brushed the last of the tangles out of her hair and twisted it into a braid. When she finished, she picked the laundry basket up from the floor and went to the door, holding it open for Crystal to proceed.

Crystal glanced at her reflection –which now somewhat resembled herself –one last time before she rose from the chair. “Thank you for understanding all of this, Liza. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of Liza’s mouth. “You sure is more trouble than you worth, child,” she said, her smile turning into a grin.

Crystal returned the grin with relief. “Thank you,” she repeated as she slipped into the hall.

“Lord, help me.” She heard Liza mutter before closing the bedroom door behind them.

*******

The diningroom was empty when they got downstairs. Crystal sat in her father’s chair at the head of the table so that she could see through the window while she ate the hot soup Liza set before her. She could hear Jimmy and Harry playing with the slave children near the gardens and once in a while they darted into view only to hurry back to their friends. When she inquired to her sisters whereabouts Liza told her that Dawn and Jordan had left to help their mother and Rose was still bedridden.

“Was she that badly injured?” Crystal asked before taking a bite of the steaming soup.

Liza shifted in the chair uncomfortably, and for a moment Crystal thought it was because she was afraid someone would walk in and see her sitting at the table. This opinion changed when Liza finally spoke.

“No. They was hopin’ you could explain that girl’s behavior.”

Crystal set her spoon down and regarded Liza curiously. “What do you mean? Why would I be able to explain it?”

Liza dropped her eyes. “She ain’t talked since the robbery.”

“What?”

“Doctor de Bore don’t know what’s wrong with her. She ain’t hurt that bad but she won’t get outta bed and she won’t talk to no one. They’s hopin’ she’ll talk to you.”

Crystal started to rise from her chair. “I’ll go to her then.”

“Oh no you don’t.” Liza pulled her back into the chair. “You ain’t goin’ nowhere’s ‘til you eat what’s in that bowl.”

“But I’ve got to check on Rose.”

“She be sleepin’ right now. You can see her later. Besides I thought you was gonna go see that young man you’s hiding out–”

Crystal quickly pressed her fingers to Liza’s lips. “Please, Liza, you have to be careful.”

For a moment Liza actually looked ashamed, but that quickly disappeared. “I was just askin’ a question.”

Crystal sighed and sat back in her chair. She picked up her spoon and began stirring her soup absently. The news of Rose’s strange behavior had her worried. Of course the bank robbery had been traumatic, but her sister was tough, why was it affecting her so? She would have to find out later, she had to see Joseph first.

She glanced up at Liza, about to inquire when they could leave, and found the maid glaring at her.

“Eat,” she said shortly and Crystal knew there was no way of getting out of the house unless she complied.

*******

Crystal tried to convince Liza to let her go alone to the overseer’s cottage, but Liza wouldn’t consider it. Together they trekked across the wet grounds, following the faded path into the woods. There was no one about to ask where they were going. The field slaves were hard at work on the other side of the plantation, and those who manned the cotton gin were easily avoided by keeping to the trees. The cottage looked even more damaged in the afternoon light, the walls that had once been white were now a mossy green from mold. The roof was no longer visible because of the coating of dead leaves and branches that covered it.

The front porch step creaked loudly as Crystal stepped onto it, bending even under her slight weight. She quickly stepped off of it, not wanting to get her ankle caught, and hurried onto the small porch. Liza followed behind her, avoiding the step completely and nervously eyeing the caving roof before she went to the door. Crystal helped her move the door from the entrance, and she immediately felt the stuffy heat pouring out of the cottage. Along with the sound of tiny scampering animals rushing from the house.

Crystal waited for her eyes to adjust to the dim light before proceeding into the room. The window let in little light because of the film of dirt that covered it and the fire was now only ember. Joseph lay unmoving in the same spot he’d been in last night, and Crystal held her breath as she waited to see his chest rise and fall. The motion was barely noticeable and she went to his side and checked for a pulse to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her. She found one, and sighed with relief, glancing up to see Liza watching her with the same intense expression she’d worn last night.

“He’s still alive,” Crystal whispered, though she knew Liza was aware of this.

Liza nodded and knelt down beside Crystal. She pulled back the blankets that were wet with Joseph’s sweat and gently pressed her palm to his forehead, a frown on her face.

“He sure is hot,” she murmured replacing the blanket. “He’s gonna need water. I gave him some this mornin’ but he’s lookin’ dehydrated.”

“I’ll go fetch some,” Crystal said, grabbing the empty bucket near the hearth.

“You is crazy, child,” Liza said, taking the bucket from Crystal. “Ain’t I’s the maid? I’ll do it.” She got to her feet and shook out her skirt before leaving the house.

Crystal listened to her footsteps disappear off the porch, and then looked at Joseph, taking her turn to feel his brow. The heat was exuding from his skin, and she could feel the warmth without touching him. Gently she pushed his hair from his face, trying her best to avoid the cut near his hairline. He shuddered ever so slightly at her touch and hope sparked in her heart. This was the first sign beyond breathing that proved he was alive, and maybe, possibly, going to stay that way.

She continued to caress his forehead, and laced their fingers together with her free hand. Willing her life into him.

He looked so pale. So close to death, that there didn’t seem to be much hope, but she had promised she wouldn’t let him die. She wouldn’t break her promise.

Leaning down, she pressed her lips lightly to his head, feeling the heat like fire on her skin.

“Joseph?” she whispered close to his ear. “Joseph, wake up. Wake up, my sweet stranger, I haven’t asked all the questions I wanted to yet . . . Please wake up. Please?”

She heard Liza clear her throat in the doorway and forced herself to pull away from him. Thinking, for a moment, that the quiet caress of air through his lips, was her name.

********

They couldn’t stay at the cottage long, knowing if Mrs. de la Chaise happened to arrive home and find them absent after Crystal’s recent ordeal, there would be dire consequence. After re-bandaging Joseph’s wounds and getting as much water down his throat as possible, they stoked the fire and returned the door to its position before leaving the house.

Crystal saw her mother’s carriage being taken to the barn, so they used the back entrance to sneak up to her room. Mother came to check on her only a few minutes after they arrived and Crystal thought she did a convincing job of seeming to have just woken. Putting the book she had just picked up down, as she pretended to stifle a yawn. Her mother appraised her carefully from a few feet away, asking a million questions. Does your head hurt? Are the bruises healing? Thank goodness you don’t seem to have any scars. That would never do for the wedding.

When she finally was satisfied, her mother told Crystal to turn in early so that she wouldn’t develop bags under her eyes and left the room. Crystal had no problem with turning in early, even with the short day she’d had, she felt exhausted. However, there was one more person she wanted to talk to before she went to bed.

Rose’s room was in the front of the house and so did not receive the evening sunlight, though the sun would be no help today considering that all the windows were covered by heavy drapes. Crystal nearly fell when she tripped over a chair that had somehow gotten pushed near the door. She regained her balance and tried to match the size of the lump on the bed with her sister.

“I put that there to keep everyone out.”

Crystal gasped and spun to face Rose, who was curled up on a chair near the empty hearth, her white nightgown bright against the deep red satin chair.

“You frightened me,” Crystal said placing a hand to her heart as if to calm it. “I thought you were on the bed.”

“I was tired of being in bed,” Rose said simply. “It looks like you were too. Do you feel all right?”

“I’ll survive,” Crystal said, and took a few steps forward. She was careful not to trip on any other misplaced objects. “But I was wondering about that. You being in bed, I mean. Are you hurt that badly?”

“I’m fine,” Rose said, shifting in the chair to pull her knees up to her chest.

Crystal waited for more, but her sister didn’t seem to think she deserved further information. When it came to Rose, getting secrets out of her was like pulling teeth. “I’m sorry I dragged you with me to the bank. If only I had known, Rose, I never would have brought you there.”

“But you still would have gone.” Her tone was accusing, as if Crystal had done something wrong. Crystal suddenly realized there was more to this than she’d thought. Of course Rose had realized she knew Joseph from before the robbery. It wasn’t as if their conversation that day had been casual. What was Rose supposed to think?

Crystal moved across the room with less mishap, owing to the fact that her eyes had finally adjusted to the dark. She grabbed a candle from off the dresser and lit it with a match from the box that sat next to it. She then took a seat in front of Rose, setting the candle down on the table between them. It cast a strange light across her sister’s face, her eyes still hooded in shadow from the upward glow.

“How did you know that man?”Rose asked quietly, staring at her knees. “The one that– that got k-killed?”

There was a tremor in her sister’s voice when she spoke and Crystal regarded her for a long moment before answering. Trying to decide how much to tell her, if anything at all.

“It’s very difficult to explain.”

“How did you know him?” Rose asked again.

Crystal rubbed her forehead with the tips of her fingers. “I-I met him the night I left the opera alone.”

Rose’s eyes widened. “You’ve known him that long? Crystal, how could you be sneaking around with him when you’re engaged to Charles?”

Crystal looked up at her in surprise. “No!– Rose, oh no. It’s nothing like that. We are– we were only friends. I wanted to help him was all.” Why did everyone have to assume the worst about their relationship? she wondered, though she supposed it was the obvious presumption.

“Mother would kill you if she ever found out.”

“I know, that’s why you can’t tell her. You can’t tell anyone, understand?”

Rose nodded and there was a long pause before she spoke again. “He was going to kill you,” she whispered.

Crystal winced at the very thought. “It was a very dangerous situation, either one of use could have been killed.”

Rose shook her head. “I meant– never mind. It doesn’t matter I suppose, as long as we’re both all right,” she finished listlessly, and turned her head away. Her movement revealed the red color of her eyes and the dark circles under them.

“That’s the problem, Rose. I’m not so sure you’re all right.” Crystal reached for Rose’s hand but she jerked away.

“I told you I’m fine,” she said, her voice angry now. She abruptly stood up and crossed the room. “You’re the one who is somehow involved with a member of the Clan. Who didn’t turn him into the police even though you knew what he was.”

“I had no idea what he was!” Crystal said, shooting to her feet. “I was just trying to help him.”

“He’s a murderer for goodness sakes!” Rose shouted. “There is no helping him!”

“You don’t even know him–”

“It doesn’t matter if I knew him. He’s dead now anyway, and it serves him right.” Rose crossed her arms stubbornly, but Crystal saw her eyes glistening and the way she gulped for air as if she were about to burst into tears.

“I can’t believe that you could possibly say such a thing,” Crystal said her voice almost breaking as she tried to stay in control of her temper. “I-I never thought you could be so heartless.”

“He was a murderer,” Rose repeated, her voice barely a whisper no. Tears streamed down her face. “He deserved it.”

“No one deserves to die by another’s hand,” Crystal said, and strode to the door. “I hope whoever shot him rots in hell.”

She stepped into the hall and slammed the door behind her, shocked by her own language and fury. She leaned against the wall and tried to calm her racing heart, blocking out the rattling sobs that came from the other side of the wall.

*******

"Chapter Nineteen: Basin Street"